Photo: NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center
December 30, 2020 (BOSTON, MA) – Federal fishery managers have issued a proposed new rule designed to protect critically endangered right whales from entanglement in fishing gear. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
“After such an unprecedented delay, this new rule will help stem the surge of right whale deaths we’ve seen over the last several years,” said Erica Fuller, Senior Attorney at CLF. “Ropeless fishing is the only solution that protects whales and fishermen, and the rule expands that practice. However, NOAA must end its reliance on weak rope as a solution and get emergency protections on the water immediately while this rule is finalized.”
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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